OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE OMNIBUS SOCIETY OF AMERICA. INC. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 RUN 01·2010 Welcome to another issue of The Green Pennant Special, density in the city but the longest commute times because the official publication of The Omnibus Society of America. it is underserved by mass transit. Through this publication we hope to keep our readers informed of events happening in the transit industry in One answer, they say, is to get equal access to both Metra Chicago and other cities in the United States. Electric and South Shore trains, which would give people more options in getting to jobs and schools. Visit the Omnibus Society of America website at

uwww.osabus.com ". At osabus.com we will be posting SOUL backs legislation introduced by state Sen. Kwame upcoming fan trips and meetings information, as well as Raoul, D-Hyde Park, that would require commuter rail membership information. trains to stop and allow passengers to board and exit at all Please visit our site when you have a chance and give us commuter rail stations. your opinions and comments. ,. The group believes that the South Shore's policy of not • FEBRUARY MEETING picking up passengers in Chicago on inbound trains is discriminatory. The February meeting of the Omnibus Society of America will be held on February 5, 2010, in the Anderson "SOUL is deeply concerned about the South Shore Line's Pavilion of Swedish Covenant Hospital, 2751 W. Winona practice of refusing to pick up passengers on the South Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The meeting will start at 7:30 Side on westbound (inbound) trains and refusing to drop pm. off passengers on the South Side on eastbound trains," Our program for the evening will be a slide presentation by said SOUL's Linda Thisted in a letter to Raoul. William Shapotkin. Raoul agrees, saying South Siders often suspect that ~.. 2010 membership dues residents of Indiana and the south suburbs have better access to downtown and its jobs than they do. OSA is now accepting dues for the year 2010. This notice only applies to members that are paying the yearly rate of "It's got to be frustrating to watch people from another A membership renewal is enclosed with this copy $30.00. state commute to your downtown area easier than you of Green Pennant. can, when you are paying taxes in the state," Raoul said.

South Side train service: Commuters South Shore and Metra officials insist that isn't the case. want equal access to Metra's Electric The Indiana-based South Shore has operated on the Electric District tracks for decades in an agreement with stops and the South Shore Line Metra.

South Shore's trains to Chicago aren't allowed to pick up Under its lease, South Shore trains westbound from Gary passengers in the city or Michigan City, Ind., for example, are allowed to drop off By Richard Wronski Tribune reporter passengers at a few Chicago stations. But the line cannot pick up riders at these stations and bring them to Van South Side commuters know from experience that they Buren or Millennium stations, since that would be can board Metra's Electric District trains but not those of considered stealing Metra's customers. the South Shore Line, even though both lines use the same tracks and stop at some of the same stations. "Metra doesn't want the South Shore to pick up what would normally be their fares," said Gerald Hanas, general Under a peculiarity of Chicago's mass-transit system, manager of the Northern Indiana Commuter inbound South Shore trains aren't allowed to pick up Transportation District, which operates the South Shore. passengers -- a long-standing policy that recently drew fire from activists who see it as an example of a disparity in Hanas acknowledges that people are often puzzled when public transportation. told by South Shore conductors that they cannot board, especially now that the South Shore has bi-Ievel cars that ~uthsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL) look like Metra's. vcmtends that the South Side has the highest population Metra points out that it has a different fare system than real but fueled by policies that favor white commuters the South Shore, and that if it were to allow South Shore over blacks and Hispanics. trains to stop at all its stations, it would affect the rest of Metra's schedule, especially its express trains. At stake is more than $1 billion in tax dollars split each year among the CTA and the suburban-based commuter '\ The Electric District has about 170 daily trains, more railroad and bus lines, Metra and Pace. than any other Metra line. Most of the aid goes to the CTA, which serves a far "If (South Shore) trains were to start stopping at all our larger share of minority riders than Metra and Pace. But stations, our trains would start stacking up," Metra the suit contends that cut is still too low and seeks to spokeswoman Meg Reile said. remedy things by shifting resources away from the suburban transit agencies. It blames chronic racism for Both the South Shore and Metra would agree to discuss shortchanging the CTA, disproportionately harming black the issue of additional service, officials say. and Hispanic riders.

Raoul said that was the point of his legislation, but he A controversial contention, to be sure, and one that acknowledged that the bill, as written, would have slim some experts think is legally shaky. Even so, the lawsuit, chance of passage. Its language, he said, would have filed by public-interest lawyers, serves to highlight long- the unintended consequence of forcing Metra to halt all standing tensions over how to divvy scarce transit express trains on everyone of its lines. resources in an equitable and smart way among agencies that cater to very different customer bases. The bill "requires that commuter rail trains stop and allow The split of sales tax and state subsidies targeted to passengers to board and exit at all commuter rail Chicago-area mass-transit systems over the last 26 stations." years has "grossly and disparately favored white mass- transit riders by over-funding Metra," alleged the Although his legislation is flawed, Raoul said, it managed proposed class-action lawsuit, filed on behalf of Hispanic to catch the attention of Metra and served to "stimulate and black CTA passengers. the discussion." The allegation was swiftly rejected by Metra. Judy "It woke them up," Raoul said. "The question isn't Pardonnet, a spokeswoman for the agency, said it whether these particular trains should be stopping. "categorically denies any type of racial discrimination" and questions the validity of ridership statistics cited in "The ultimate question is whether we can get the most the lawsuit. "From our preliminary review, there's a lot of efficient access to transportation as supported by information stated in the lawsuit that's not true," taxpayers' dollars." Pardon net said.

One solution might come from the Regional CTA officials have lobbied state lawmakers for years to Transportation Authority, which recently approved a gain a bigger share of the mass-transit funding pot but $450,000 study to seek ways to improve transportation have never invoked discrimination as an argument. The and access to jobs as well as spur economic activity on lawsuit, on the other hand, frames the CTA's chronic the South Side. funding woes in starkly racial terms while seeking to remedy them by forcinq a shift of public resources away The South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study will be from Metra and Pace. conducted by the Chicago Department of Transportation and will recommend one or two projects that could be All of this is playing out at a time when the state treasury candidates for federal transportation funding. is mired in a record sea of red ink that has left officials struggling to simply keep funding commitments at SOUL's Thisted said her group welcomes that study. existing levels.

"That was our big win," she said. Spearheading the suit are lawyers from a civil-rights law clinic at Chicago-Kent College of Law and the Loop firm [email protected] of Futterman Howard Ashley Watkins & Weltman, which specializes in civil-rights litigation. Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune Futterman associate Rafael Vargas said the idea for the Lawsuit claims racial bias in eTA, suit was his and grew out of a thesis he wrote four years Metra funding ago while a law student at Kent that compared "transit equity" in Chicago to other U.S. cities. Vargas said he CTA riders have long grumbled about getting a raw deal did not consult CTA officials about the lawsuit. with high fares and skimpy service, and a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday argues that the complaint is not just 2 Quick to embrace its central thesis was U.S. Rep. Jesse The RTA declined to comment on the lawsuit. Jackson Jr., a Chicago Democrat, who said the CTA carries 80 percent of all regional transit riders but Metra A quick sampling of CTA riders turned up many who .cets more capital and operating funding per rider from expressed frustration about service and fares but few estate. ready to blame it on racism.

"For too long, minority communities have been left out in "That would be hard to prove," said Porfirio Castro, 37, the cold while services to affluent communities received of the Logan Square neighborhood. If Metra gets an more than their fair share of new buses, trains and outsize share of money compared with its ridership it's tracks," Jackson said in a statement. because it covers a much bigger geographic area, Castro said. Even if provable, that may not be enough to pass legal muster, said Andrew Koppelman, a constitutional scholar One CTA regular who disagrees with that assessment is at the Northwestern University Law School. Koppelman Manuel Munguia, one of the named plaintiffs in the said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that laws that lawsuit. have uneven impacts on blacks and whites are not unconstitutional as long as they don't make clear "This is about people's livelihoods," Munguia, a Hispanic distinctions on the basis of race. resident of the South Chicago neighborhood, said in a statement. "It's really about getting the access we "Politically, it is quite powerful," Koppelman said of the deserve, to education, to good jobs and, ultimately, to racism argument laid out in the lawsuit. "But as a legal opportunity and prosperity. The defendants need to argument, it's a loser." / acknowledge that and make this right."

At a minimum, the lawsuit may serve to focus fresh The other plaintiff, Dorothy McGhee, an African- attention on the delicate geographic and political American who lives in Bronzeville, said that reductions in balancing act that has tied the financial fortunes of the CTA routes in her area "have become commonplace three transit agencies together for decades under the over the years." umbrella of the Regional Transportation Authority. "Despite paying my fair share, I have to leave my home The RTA, approved in 1974, was initially a tough sell to hours in advance to reach my children's schools, my job suburbanites who feared the increased sales taxes they or other activities," she said in a statement. "Even then, ~Quld have to pay would go largely to propup a there is no guarantee that I will arrive at my destination ..,tanclally ailing CTA system that few of them used. on time. My older children are forced to ride overcrowded buses to get back and forth to school." Ironically, some black community leaders also expressed eariy qualms about the RTA plan because it Tribune reporters Jon Hilkevitch and Angie Leventis lacked guarantees of adequate funding for suburban Lourgos contributed to this report. transit projects that would make it easier for minorities to get to jobs outside the city. --Bob Secter and Richard Wronski

The suit attempts to draw a connection between alleged PACE BOARD FINALIZES COST funding inequalities at the transit agencies and the REDUCTION PLAN fractious "Council Wars" era in Chicago that began in 1983 with the election of the city's first African-American December 9, 20096:00:00 PM mayor, Harold Washington. Media Release Office: (847) 228-4295 Contact: Patrick Wilmot (847) 228-4295 Racial tensions in the council spilled over to the legislature, which invoked the first in a series of changes Numerous routes saved from proposed elimination in the funding formula for transit that repeatedly shrunk. through restructuring, use of capital funding CTA's share, the suit said. Ever since, the suit said, the CTA has been unable to invest in "much-needed" rail Facing a projected $6.6 million budget shortfall for 2010, service extensions into minority neighborhoods, the Pace Board of Directors approved a balanced budget in November without specifically outlining how including extension of the Red Line. the shortfall would be resolved. The Board directed staff At the same time, the suit said the RTA has not required to continue discussions with stakeholders and to review Metra to build stations in minority neighborhoods. alternatives to service reductions that would have "Instead, Metra's trains whiz past these communities as affected 61 bus routes in the Pace service area. A new if they do not exist," the suit said. "They do so for a plan, approved by the Board at their December meeting, urely racial reason -- they do not want their white preserves service on 27 of the 61 routes, and relying on burban customers to have to mingle with poor restructuring of routes to improve productivity and an minorities." infusion of capital funding to cover operating costs.

3 "While we weren't able to save all of the routes proposed 753 Matteson for elimination, we feel confident that every effort was made to preserve everything that we could, and further 767 CongresslDouglas - Prairie Stone mitigate the impacts for as many riders as possible," said Pace Chairman of the Board Richard Kwasneski. Of the 781 North Naperville Office Complex 24 routes that remain slated for elimination, nine are losing only Saturday and/or Sunday service and their 1012 Evergreen Park - Prairie Stone weekday service will be unaffected. The 24 affected by Weekend service eliminated - 9 elimination were selected because they have low ridership, particularly relative to the cost of operation. All 209 Busse Highway (Sunday ONLY - Saturday service eliminations and reductions are to be effective February remains) 7,2010. 234 Wheeling - Des Plaines (Saturday) In addition to the $1.5 million of service eliminations/reductions, Pace will be redirecting $2.3 304 Cicero - LaGrange (Saturday and Sunday) million of capital funding to cover the cost of operation of the 27 routes preserved from the original list of 320 Madison Street (Saturday) eliminations and reductions. Finally, Pace has outlined $2.7 million of non-service related cost reductions that 422 Linden CTA - Glenview - Northbrook Court are unchanged from the proposed budget. These include (Saturday) five unpaid furlough days for all nonunion employees, increased nonunion employee healthcare contributions, " 423 Linden CTA - The Glen - Harlem CTA (Saturday) and reductions to the budgets for marketing, fuel, and certain types of insurance. 528 Aurora Trans. Ctr. - Rush Copley Medical (Saturday) "The impacts of the current economic crisis are the direct cause of the service reductions that remain," said 715 Central DuPage (Saturday) Kwasneski. "If the economy hadn't collapsed, we would 747 DuPage Connection (Saturday) be expanding service right now instead of going through reductions and eliminations. Sales tax receipts are $23 Service reduced - 9 million below what was projected at the beginning of 2008 when new transit funding was approved by the 210 Lincoln Avenue \ General Assembly." 326 West Irving Park ### 362 Park Forest Pace Suburban Bus 685 Naperville - West Wind Estates 2010 Route Reduction/Elimination Plan 696 Woodfield - Arlington Heights - Randhurst Implementation Date: February 7, 2010 699 Palatine - Woodfield - Elk Grove Routes eliminated - 15 747 DuPage Connection 451 Southeast Homewood 821 Woodridge - Belmont 452 Northeast Homewood 822 Woodridge - Lisle 460 Hazel Crest Service remains unchanged (service day proposed to be 535 Fox Valley Shuttle affected, where applicable) - 18

637 Wood Dale - Rosemont CTA 208 Golf Road (Sunday)

643/645 NW Elmhurst - Elmhurst Industrial 223 Elk Grove - Rosemont CTA (Sunday)

654 South Glen Ellyn 302 Ogden/Stanley (Saturday)

657 Bloomingdale/Glendale Heights 315 Austin/Ridgeland (Saturday)

690 Arlington Heights Road 348 138th St. Riverdale Corridor (Saturday)

750 Country Club Hills 366 Park Forest - Chicago Heights (Sunday) 4 367 University Park (Saturday) The most significant is the addition of a stop north of the city, near the intersection of Indiana 49 and the Indiana 529 Randall Road - 5th Street (Saturday) Toll Road . .--..... 16 The Chancellory Connection The city hopes to start a 90-day trial on Jan. 25, having the 7:15 a.m. bus make a five-minute pickup stop at the 626 Skokie Valley Limited Toll Road's carpool lot.

661 Southwest Westmont "I've had many requests from folks from Valparaiso who live on the north side of town, as well as folks from 668 Burr Ridge - Hinsdale Chesterton," Assistant City Planner and ChicaGo Dash manger Tyler Kent said at Wednesday's Board of Works 669 Western Springs -Indian Head Park and Safety meeting. 676 Naperville - Cress Creek Kent is still talking to Toll Road officials, who are 687 Naperville - Farmstead concerned about lot overcrowding, Kent said.

689 Naperville - Hobson Village Redevelopment Commission Director Stu Summers said the city is hoping for a 20 percent increase in ridership. 711 Wheaton - Addison Valparaiso also is talking with Hobart about a possible 757 Northwest Connection : stop there. Harold Geissenheimer passes Monthly pass riders also will be eligible for reimbursement when they have to leave the.city early, Tyler said. Harold Geissenheimer passed away in his sleep at 0545 Thursday, January 7,2010 at the Gino Merli Veterans The monthly pass users would get up to 12 vouchers a Home in Scranton, Pa. year, similar to the Illinois PACE plan.

The goal is to make public transportation attractive and customers have expressed appreciation on the flexibility of times and stops, Kent said.

Mayor Jon Costas said, "we've got to keep working it."

Although the job market is slow even in the city, Costas foresees more of a need for the bus service in the next two or three years.

Other changes include:

* The earliest return bus leaving the city later, at 4: 10 p.m. rather than 3:40 p.m. This will also be instituted as a gO-day trial.

* The last Saturday bus trip to Chicago will be Saturday, just after Christmas. The city will consider resuming the service in spring.

* The Chicago stop at Financial and Van Buren will be moved during construction to Van Buren and Congress.

Valparaiso's bus to Chicago to stop Kent also unveiled two possible design plans for the new at Toll Road Dash buses, although Board of Works members wanted changes that would make the name Valparaiso more December 24, 2009 prominent on either design. BY JAMES D. WOLF JR., POST-TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT Board member Chuck Williams said, "That's what you're ~LPARAISO -- More changes are coming for the city's marketing, that you can go from Valparaiso to Chicago." IS line into Chicago. [~~-O~~:~.~on~1 Bus ~uthoritY J 5 ---..---. .-----.""---.-----.,..----' -.-----.-.-:J'-"'''-'' improved transit service and to continued development ISeeks Public Input On Service of a system that better meets the needs of our ~s passengers. " Tuesday, January 5,20'10 3:10 PM CST ' Birmingham's new buses are also equipped with CNG The public is invited to share their needs and opinions power plants. "These new CNG buses demonstrate regarding bus service in and around the City of Birmingham's continued dedication to the environment Hammond during a series of public input sessions. The while at the same time allowing them to operate with a Regional Bus Authority (RBA) assumes responsibility for lower cost domestically produced fuel," according to bus service in Hammond on January 1, and a new Chris Dabbs, NABI's Regional Sales Manager. "The service contract is required by July 1st 201 O. These first BJCT A staff took a very methodical approach to this three input sessions will help determine the scope of the procurement and the passengers in Birmingham will new services to be provided for the second half of 201 O. realize a long term benefit as a result of this professional and detailed process," added Dabbs. Three sessions have been scheduled and more are Birmingham has a history of transit dating back over 100 being finalized. Scheduled sessions are: years and Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority currently now operates a fleet of over 120 fixed - Jan. 14 from 10 am until 12 pm at the Hammond Public route and paratransit vehicles, covering a service area of Library Community Room, 564 State St. more than 200 square miles. - Jan. 21 from 10 am until 12 pm at Purdue University .. Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Calumet, Calumet Conference Center, 2300- 173rd St Purchases 11 Articulated Buses - Jan. 28 from 2 until 4 pm at Calumet College of St. Joseph, Room 200, 2400 New York Ave., Whiting for Rapid Blue Lines • Alternative fueled CNG buses to be purchased from Persons who plan to attend and need special North American Bus Industries, with an option to accommodations are asked to call 219-762-4767 at least buy 10 additional buses in the future. 48 hours before the meeting. Individuals with hearing or communication impairments may call the Indiana Relay • Transit agency plans to use longer, higher capacity 711 system for assistance. buses on popular Rapid 7 and Rapid 3 bus rapid transit (BRT) lines. Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority Purchases New NABI SANTA MONICA, Calif. - October 20,2009- The Big Blue Bus has announced that 11 new flexible Buses 60-foot articulated buses will be joining its fleet starting in 2011, allowing the transit agency to add a new level of Anniston, AL (November 24, 2009) - Birmingham expanded service to the public. Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCT A) is taking progressive steps toward improved public transportation A provision in the contract allows for the option to in Birmingham. The agency recently purchased new purchase an additional 10 buses as funding becomes compressed natural gas (CNG) powered buses from available in the future. Three of the new buses are being North American Bus Industries. The purchase of the purchased with funds from the federal government's buses was made possible by a grant from the American economic stimulus package. Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The articulated buses will first be introduced on the The new BJCTA fleet of North American Bus Industries popular Rapid 7 bus rapid transit (BRT) line, which is LFW model buses will be equipped with smooth and one of the agency's busiest routes. The Rapid 3 line will dependable wheelchair ramps, security cameras, also receive new buses after the initial deployment on audible annunciation systems, and bicycle racks. Rapid 7 is complete. The new cleaner burning compressed natural gas buses will replace some of the The new buses not only look and perform better and older diesel buses in the fleet, in keeping with the city's more efficiently, but will be used to reveal the exciting commitment to sustainability. new image of BJCTA. The buses have a dramatic new The new NABI articulated models include interior paint design and will be equipped with the newest features for maximum comfort and convenience for all technologies for location, announcements, and passengers, including seniors and those with disabilities. maintenance. According to William Copling, Interim Each bus has 53 seats instead of the usual 40, and runs Executive Director at BJCT A, "The buses help to replace on clean compressed natural gas, which is 77 percent an aging fleet and will be equipped with state of the art cleaner burning than diesel fuel. automatic systems to assist passengers and the authority with data collection. The acquisition of these "These new NABI articulated Rapid Blue buses will not new heavy duty buses is part of our commitment to only be quick, beautiful and comfortable, but they're provide the citizens of the Birmingham area with 6 fueled by natural gas, which will reduce our carbon The $61.6 million project the agency launched nearly footprint and help keep the air cleaner," said Stephanie three years ago will result in the replacement of one-third Negriff, director of transit services for the Big Blue Bus. of the Sam Trans fleet. The 137 old vehicles that will be -'Ne're excited to add these to our busy Rapid lines retired from service first rolled onto the streets in 1993. .Jecause they have the latest features people want, and they'll make riding more comfortable and less crowded, The agency used $9.7 million from its half-cent sales tax which will hopefully inspire people to take public transit and $1.5 million from local bridge toll revenues and more often," she said. received $50.2 million in federal grants for the buses. SamTrans has faced budget problems that have led to According to NABI Senior Vice President Joe Gibson, higher fares and fewer routes, but spokeswoman BRT vehicles offer cities a less complicated and more Christine Dunn said the money used was earmarked for affordable way to implement an efficient, more capital improvements and could not be used to stave off environmentally friendly transit system in their operational cuts. communities than other solutions. It will be hard for motorists and pedestrians to miss the "NABI's 60-foot BRT vehicle is a rubber-tire solution to new buses. The Signature red, white and blue color light rail," said Gibson. "It offers many of the same scheme remains, but the new vehicles are more colorful amenities and features of rail, but with the flexibility than the old, mostly white buses, and the colors swirl in afforded to bus route deployment," he said. a thick, curving motion, instead in straight, skinny lines. Also, the front of the new buses is curved instead of "It also uses the latest in transit-signal technology, so it . having a boxlike design. helps passengers get to their destinations quicker, • oftentimes much faster than driving a car along the same And interior looks and feels different. The stanchions are stretch of road," he said. yellow, the seats are upholstered with cloth, digital video recorders are installed for safety purposes and the lights Negriff noted that using the new CNG powered buses are LED. There also are overhead sensors that will allow the Big Blue Bus to eliminate tons of emissions automatically open the rear door at stops, and the from entering the atmosphere throughout the operating wheelchair ramp incline is less steep. life of the buses, while also lowering the transit agency's The new buses also meet 2009 California Air Resources operating costs. Board standards. They use ultralow sulfur diesel fuel, "'--"",eBig Blue Bus currently operates a fleet of over 200 emitting less nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. Dunn said the vehicles should save the agency money on alternative fueled vehicles, carrying over 20 million operating costs, but it is not known by how much. passengers a year around a 52-square mile service area of Los Angeles County. The agency, nationally known Most of the buses will be either 40 or 35 feet long, but for its commitment to sustainable transit equipment and four 29-foot buses will be used along Route 17. The technologies, recently opened a new $60 million eco- shorter buses will allow drivers to navigate more easily maintenance facility that includes three dedicated bays on narrow coastal roads, Dunn said. to service the new articulated models. Dunn said each bus was custom-made by Hayward- The Big Blue Bus contract with NABI contains provisions based manufacturer Gillig. Public transit buses typically enabling the transit agency to purchase additional 60- are replaced every 12 years, although the agency made foot BRT's in subsequent years, in keeping with some improvements to the old fleet to extend buses' anticipated expansion of the transit agency's Rapid Blue lives a few years. She said the fleet's other buses do not service. need replacing. SamTrans rolls out new buses with Mike Rosenberg covers San Mateo, Burlingame, sleeker look, more features Belmont and transportation. Reach him at 650-348- By Mike Rosenberg 4324. San Mateo County Times Posted: 12/28/200906:16:20 PM PST Peter Pan Bus Lines updates look, Updated: 12/28/200907:51 :26 PM PST takes first 10 of 30 new Mel coaches There is a strikingly new, modern look to buses in San Ultramodern amenities lure new Mateo County. generation of riders SamTrans has begun rolling out 135 new buses that feature a sleeker design, automatic rear doors and SCHAUMBURG, IL - December 15, 2009 - Staying ~aner engines. The first ones hit the road two weeks true to the character that inspired its name, Peter Pan .)0. Bus Lines refuses to age. The company is rebranding its image, staying current with new equipment and more ways for passengers to stay connected. The new image 7 debuts with the delivery of the first 10 of 30 MCI be using a multimedia approach to publicize the new coaches. The coaches, a mix of MCI® J4500 and MCI® look, amenities and safety features." D4505 models, showcase Peter Pan's new exterior graphic and new signature interior featuring customized "MCI always comes through for us," said Peter A. fabric on seats with three-point seat belts, power outlets, Picknelly, president. "They have the flexibility, Wi-Fi connectivity and wide flat-screen video monitors. responsiveness and resources to create a coach for us The coaches feature clean-diesel engine technology for the way we want it, and with quality that we expect to lower emissions as mandated by the EPA along with stand the test of time." MCI's safety and performance package of Electronic Stability Control, SmartWave® tire pressure monitoring "We appreciate our longstanding relationship with Peter and Amerex fire suppression system, standard on new Pan, and the way they count on MCI models for looks, MCI models. amenities and dependability," said Tom Sorrells, MCI president and CEO. "We're very gratified to have once again worked so closely with their key staff to fulfill the requirements of their trend-setting initiatives."

MCI plans to showcase Peter Pan's new J4500 at the ABA Marketplace, January 15 through January 19, at Gaylord National Harbor, Maryland. The MCI J4500 is ranked as the most popular coach on the road in the U.S. and Canada for the past six years. The ABA event serves to link buyers and sellers of travel and is billed as the premier business event for the group-travel industry. MTC Limousine's three new MCI® 04505 coaches help to curb carbon footprints

MCI, which has been serving Peter Pan since 1974 and SCHAUMBURG, IL - December 9, 2009 - Expanding delivered its very first J4500 to the company in 2001, will their commitment to provide their clients with the most complete delivery of all 30 coaches by May. Peter Pan, sustainable, fuel efficient "green" fleet possible, MTC which operates a fleet of 250 coaches with an average Limousine & Corporate Coach, Inc., headquartered in age of six and half years, plans to update its fleet with Bedford Hills, New York, has upgraded its corporate the new graphics and interior updates over the few next motor coach fleet with new MCI D4505 coaches years. powered by clean-diesel engine technology. "This is a huge departure for us," said Bruce Westcott, vice president of business development for Peter Pan Enterprises. "Peter Pan understands that it needs to be flexible and change with the times. We're listening to our customers. They want comfort and amenities, and we want an identity and a message that reflects all of the virtues of motor coach travel."

The company reviewed 15 versions of the coach graphics, narrowing them down to three that were then tested with key customers. "Their response to our new look was overwhelmingly favorable," said Westcott. Customer input also determined interior changes. Peter Pan selected a sculpted seat and an earthy-colored custom woven fabric (made exclusively for Peter Pan) that gives the interior cabin a more modern flair. "MCI delivers an exceptional product, and we are resolute in our decision to support our clients' Change in ridership demographics is also driving Peter sustainability initiatives," said Joe Brunetto, MTC Vice Pan's rebranding. Over Thanksgiving weekend, Peter President of fleet and technology. "Today, the majority of Pan ridership reached 140,000 passengers, mostly our corporate clients have environmental policies in students and professionals. "Our rebranding is about place, and as their ground transportation supplier, it's communicating that motor coach travel is green and a important for us to offer vehicles that provide them the ..-..... much nicer experience than what might be expected," opportunity to reduce the emissions their programs and said Westcott. "The new buses will be going on a road travel are creating." show to colleges and corporate customers and we will 8 The new MCI 04505s feature the engine technology SCHAUMBURG, IL - November 13, 2009 - Providing currently mandated by the EPA and replace MTC transportation to underserved communities is proving Limousine's older MCI models. As a partner in the EPA successful for Nashville's Anchor Trailways. The ~limate Leader program, MTC Limousine has committed operator, which has garnered significant capital- .reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2016. "This new assistance from 5311 (f) funding, has taken delivery of equipment is an exceptionally good fit - combining a three MCI 04505s that went into service in July and has lower footprint with the amenities our customers have ordered another two for spring delivery. The new come to expect - we don't believe that efficiency and coaches are in addition to the two 04505 coaches comfort should be mutually exclusive," said Brunetto. Anchor Trailways acquired at the beginning of the year.

Passenger amenities on MTC Limousine's new coaches The three 04505s serve Anchor's new A.T. Runner include plush seats with overhead reading lights, service between Florence, Alabama, and Nashville, individual airflow controls, aircraft quality enclosed making 12 scheduled stops in all. Beyond offering much- overhead storage for luggage, and a state-of-the-art needed transportation and intermodal connections, the entertainment system with six flat-screen monitors. New coaches are equipped with satellite television, 11O-volt exterior graphics designed by MTC promotes the outlets and wireless Internet. "Passengers traveling from company's environmental focus. Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, to the Nashville Airport can work on their laptops," says Jared Stancil, vice president These new MCI vehicles are part of the increasingly and nephew to the company's founder. Stancil says the efficient MTC Limousine fleet. As the first ground high-tech ride is also popular with students from transportation company to join the Climate Leaders, an : universities and colleges along the route, who want to industry-government partnership that works with travel to Nashville or to nearby airports. companies to develop comprehensive climate change strategies, and as a founding member of the Limousine Environmental Action Partnership (LEAP), MTC Limousine fully-supports new vehicle technology development to make a real difference in fuel costs, emissions, and service. MTC Limousine's fleet now includes a variety of hybrid, biofuel, compressed natural gas and other alternatively fueled vehicles. "We are ~oking to have the majority of our fleet converted to ore efficient vehicles with lower emissions in 2010," said Brunetto.

Calculating carbon savings

As a supplemental service, MTC provides customers with detailed emissions tracking information that is audited and verified for accuracy and reliability. "We're not just talking about 'sustainability', we are delivering Anchor's next A.T. Runner route will link Memphis and better, lower emission options today and are hard at Nashville via Paris and Union City, both smaller towns in work testing new technologies as they come into the Tennessee. "We joke that you'll be able to take the bus marketplace. The reality is that carbon reporting and to Paris," quips Mark Szyperski, Scheduled Route Cap & Trade is going to force everyone to change how Manager, who says the company appreciates 5311 (f) we do things," said Brunetto. "Our customers don't have funding for the opportunities it provides to increase the to worry about accounting for the indirect emissions they availability of transportation in rural areas. generate from ground transportation, because we've got Anchor Trailways has been growing rapidly outside of them covered." the federal-funding gains. Started 20 years ago by Or. MTC Limousine launched in 1986 as a provider of John Stancil with a single coach, Anchor now has a fleet transportation for executive travel and has grown into an of 65 coaches, exclusively an MCI fleet. It added 30 international provider of executive sedan, limousine and coaches in the last year alone, bought to serve a motor coach transportation. To learn more, visit contract with the Fort Campbell military installation. The www.mtclimo.com. company is also expecting two new 04505s marked for charter service later this year.

Anchor Trailways adds more MCI® A Trailways member since 2000, Anchor takes 04505 coaches to fleet with federal advantage of the benefits, tapping into GPS provisions -- nds Expands bus service to reach and other value services offered by the organization. The company is an active member of the United more riders Motorcoach Association, Alabama Motorcoach Association and the Tennessee Motor Coach 9 Association. To learn more visit, riders are in coaches, moving right along at up to 35 www.anchortrailways.com. miles an hour, non-stop." MCI delivers 26 Commuter Coaches Metro Transit advertised the new service through a direct mail campaign. "We're very pleased by our to Metropolitan Council of Minnesota ridership averages at our new Lakeville park-and-ride," added Lamb, whose agency provides nearly 90 percent SCHAUMBURG, IL - November 5, 2009 - Aiming to of the bus and light rail service in the Minneapolis/St. grow transit ridership, ease congestion and improve Paul region. All together Metro Transit operates more mobility, Metropolitan Council, which manages transit than 900 transit buses. These are the first MCI services in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, is giving Commuter Coaches for the agency that operated two its residents touring-class comfort on long-distance leased MCI models several years ago. In 2008, commutes. The Council has taken delivery of 26 MCI customers boarded Metro buses and trains nearly 82 Commuter Coaches. The Commuter Coach, based on million times, the highest annual ridership in 27 years. the popular MCI® D-Series, offers riders plush seating with head rests, individual reading lights, personal air- flow controls, and overhead storage. Cross Country Trailways, of Spartanburg SC, recently added a new Van Hool C2045E to their fleet, which now totals 19 motorcoaches : Founded by Robert and Elaine Johnson in 1994, with a single used coach, Cross Country has grown steadily, becoming one of South Carolina's top charter and tour operators.

Metro Transit, a service of Metropolitan Council, is operating 19 of the new coaches on express routes that cover longer distances. Metro Transit launched its newest express-route to downtown Minneapolis September 28 as it unveiled a new Lakeville park-and- ride ramp adjacent to the freeway. State and federal government officials attended, including Minnesota's governor and the mayors of Minneapolis and several The 2010 C2045E has a Cummins engine coupled to an surrounding towns. Allison transmission, matching the rest of Cross Country's all Van Hool fleet. The new coach also The new buses, park-and-ride facilities and transit features Van Hool's exclusive contoured parcel racks services are funded through the Urban Partnership with 6 large screen 22" video monitors, panoramic rear Agreement (UPA), a federal-state project aimed at window WiFi service, wireless PA microphone, Dura reducing traffic congestion, as well as by a grant from Bright aluminum wheels and a custom graphics design. the Counties Transit Improvement Board. The passenger seats have leather inserts and 3 point Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb said, "We seat belts, among the first in South Carolina. not only want to offer our riders a comfortable ride, we Robert Johnson was an executive with 24 years in the want to give customers a consistent schedule. By riding computer information management field, when the Choir with us, commuters can get to the city from Lakeville in Director of his church offered the opportunity to invest in 30 minutes thanks to the use of MnPASS toll lanes and a startup bus line. When things didn't develop quite ~s bus-only shoulder lanes." The highway system that planned, the Johnsons ended up owning and managmg surrounds Minneapolis has bus-only shoulder lanes the company. spanning 275 miles, the longest in the nation. "When traffic is moving less than 35 miles per hour, our new Robert continued his computer career, while working at coaches are using the bus-only lanes. While other the bus line without a salary. Four years later Cross commuters are sitting one by one all alone their cars, our Country Trailways had grown to the point where he

10 could leave computers, and join Elaine full time, devoting In 2009, MTA New York City Transit purchased 90 Nova all his energies to building the company. LFS articulated vehicles which are assembled at the Plattsburgh facility. The delivery process for this order is --'·!·Joiningthe prestigious family of Trailways operators in currently under way. ,05," Johnson says, "provided us with a chance to learn from some of the most elite motorcoach operators. Charm City Circulator - Baltimore Membership in Trailways gave us a real boost of pride and offered such opportunities as featuring one of our coaches in a Hollywood feature film, and a bus's appearance in a TV series already released this year."

They now provide charters to 49 states and Canada as well as offering their own packaged tours. A substa~tial part of their charter work comes from competing tour brokers, and they work hard at maintaining a cordial, ethical, relationship. Cross Country's steady growth Things to know about your new ride, the "EcoSaver IV" seems to indicate that it's working. Smooth ... "We strive for customer satisfaction ... and go as far as we have to go to keep passengers happy," Johnson The EcoSaver IV utilizes highly efficient electric motors said. "We're into safety and that starts with the best to smoothly propel it. The jerking and growling of a large possible drivers. We match them to the particular client. transmission is completely absent in the EcoSaver IV, We try to have the cleanest coaches on the road and because there is no transmission. The EcoSaver IV repair dings right away. We'll charter a replacement, utilizes highly efficient electric motors that smoothly rather than have our customers ride a dented coach. propel it throughout its complete range of acceleration ABC excels at getting us any parts we need ... quickly." and deceleration without a shift or sound.

Like all Trailways carriers, Cross Country is Department Quiet. .. of Defense safety certified. "We take particular pride in serving the military, feeling that carrying our soldiers is The quiet ride of the EcoSaver IV electric bus has been ~ore of a privilege than just providing transportation," repeatedly described as "like being inside of a library." hnson pointed out. Even with the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) running, there is almost no discernible engine noise inside the cabin. "We've bought 28 coaches in 15 years," he said. "Every single one of them has been from ABC. The Van Hool's Green ... have done a great job for us, and for 15 years ABC has treated us really well when there was a problem. ABC's The DesignLine system utilizes a "clean burning" turbine, Account Executive Steve Olesen did a great job in or the smallest combustion engine on the market. The helping us buy the right coach to serve our customers, body design reduces vehicle weight by up to 3 tons over and he's great about staying in touch." Olesen said, other systems, resulting in approximately 2.25 tons less "Cross Country has been a loyal customer. Robert runs greenhouse gases a year. a terrific operation and is fun to serve. We love it when he visits ABC's Winter Garden facility. He treats us like What is it and how does it work? we're part of his family." The EcoSaver IV greatly reduces a fleet's greenhouse Connecticut Transit to add 35 Nova gas emissions. The fleet's emissions are cut in half, by burning only half its fuel when the bus is operating. The LFS Artic buses to its fleet EcoSaver IV also emits far less emissions than a Nova Bus is pleased to announce that Connecticut conventional bus by spending a Significant portion of the Transit (CT Transit) has selected Nova Bus to provide operating day in "zero" emission mode, running on pure 35 LFS Artic buses, with options on an additional 35 battery power. Electricity is provided by an on-board articulated vehicles over a four-year period. CT Transit, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The APU is not a drive whose divisions serve 7 metropolitan areas throughout motor, but an electrical generator, providing up to 30 kW the state of Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven of electrical energy to the batteries. A second source of and Stamford, selected a mix of clean-diesel and hybrid the electricity is the bus's regenerative braking system, drives for its articulated vehicles, with deliveries starting which taps the energy generated by coasting and in late 2010. braking. Coupling the lower fuel and lower maintenance cost has proven the technology to be a sustainable :l-tqlued at approximately $60 million, the order will be energy efficient form of transportation. sembled at Nova Bus' Plattsburgh, N.Y., plant. The company was selected particularly for its product design and performance, price and delivery schedule. 11